lucy davenport. Oh, no!
frances trebell. No Bishop dare deny it.
mrs. farrant. [From the heights of experience.] Dear Lucy, do you seriously think that the English spirit—the nerve that runs down the backbone—is disturbed by new theology . . or new anything?
lady davenport. [Enjoying her epigram.] What a waste of persecution history shows us!
walter kent now captures the conversation with a very young politician's fervour.
walter kent. Once they're disestablished they must make up their minds what they do believe.
lady davenport. I presume Lord Charles thinks it'll hand the Church over to him and his . . dare I say 'Sect'?
walter kent. Won't it? He knows what he wants.
mrs. farrant. [Subtly.] There's the election to come yet.